1. Types of Research in Sociology
1.Positivist Sociology
Based upon scientific observation
Empirical evidence objective
2.Interpretive Sociology
Focused upon the meaning people attach to their social world
Verstahen……
3.Critical Sociology
Focused on need for social change
Emphasizes social activism
Rejects idea of value free sociology

2. Weber’s Concept of Verstehen
German word for “understanding”
Interpretive sociologist’s role
Observe what people do
Share in their world of meaning
Appreciate why they act as they do

3. Summing Up

4. Sociological Research Methods
Research methods….the scientific procedures sociologists use to conduct research and develop knowledge about a particular topic
Sociologists use a variety of research methods
Quantitative data refers to data based on numbers
Qualitative data that is non-numeric form (words, pictures)

5. Basic steps of social research
Select a topic
Define the problem
Review the literature
Literature review …. Study of existing research on topic
Formulate a hypothesis
… what will data show?
Choose a research method
Collecting the data
Analyze the results
Share the results

6. 1st consideration - objectivity
Objectivity the ability to conduct research without the influence of personal bias or prejudices
Personal neutrality
Value-free sociology – neutral and dedicated to finding the truth as it is.
Validity

7. Four main methods of sociological investigation
Research Methods:
Four main methods of sociological investigation
experiments
surveys
Fieldwork and participant observation
Analysis of existing sources .

8. experiments
Research method for determining cause and effect under controlled conditions
Use variables…..Any measurable condition, event, characteristic, or behaviors - controlled or observed in a study
Use variables for measurement …procedure for determining value of variable
Shows relationship between two variables
Operationalization Research variables that are clearly defined so that they may be concretely measured.

9. Correlation is NOT Causation
Relationship in which two (or more) variables change together
An indication of a relationship between variables.
Cause and effect
Relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Spurious correlation

10. Correlation
an indication that one factor might be the cause for another factor
Positive correlation variables move in same direction
Negative correlation variables move in opposite directions
Spurious correlation two variables appear to be related - actually have a different cause

11. Critical terms in sociological research
In sociological research one uses variables
Independent variables ….are deliberately manipulated in an experiment.
Dependent variables ….the response to the manipulated variable
Control variables … variables kept constant to accurately test the impact of an independent variable

12. Steps of the Experiment
State which variable is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable
Measure the initial value of the dependent variable
Expose the dependent variable to the independent variable (the “cause” or “treatment”)
Measure the dependent variable again to see what change, if any, took place.
If the expected change took place, the experiment supports the hypothesis; if not, the hypothesis must be modified.
State which variable is the independent variable (the “cause” of the change) and which is the dependent variable (the “effect,” the thing that is changed)
An experimenter gathers the evidence needed to reject or not to reject the hypothesis in four steps
Stanford County Prison system experiment

13. Survey
survey an investigation of the opinions or experience of a group of people by asking questions
Questionnaires and interview (questions face to face)
Usually targeted at particular populations
Questions
neutral
Open ended
Close ended

16. population….. target groups from which researchers want to get information
representative Sample….representative of population
random Sample…chosen arbitrarily from pop

17. Observation or field research
Field research is research conducted in a natural setting
Ethnography…studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities. A firsthand, description of a living culture, based on personal observation.
Participant observation ….research where the observers act as person normally in the setting
Case Studies investigation of one person or event in detail

18. Existing Sources
Analysis of data that has been previously collected and published Newspapers, books, public records, media, social media Census data Other demographic data

19. Using Available Data: Existing Sources
U.S. Census Bureau
United Nations
World Bank
Sociologists make use of existing sources of data.
Data form incompatibility
Data accuracy
Weakness
Sociologists make use of existing sources of data collected by others.

20. Every ten years, the Census Bureau conducts a census of all U. S
Every ten years, the Census Bureau conducts a census of all U.S. households, mailing forms to each address.
About 75 percent of U.S. households returned their form, as directed by law.
But participation rates were higher in some places than in others. Looking at the map, what patterns do you see?
What might explain lower return rates in Southwest Texas along the Mexican border and in New Mexico?
What might explain the higher return rates in urban areas close to both coasts and in the Midwest?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2010).

21. Research Ethics American Sociological Association
Sociologists must be aware that research can harm as well as help subjects and communities.
American Sociological Association
Established formal guidelines for conducting research
Guidelines
Skillful and fair-minded
Disclosure of all research findings
No risk of harm
Privacy protection
Informed consent
Funding source transparency/conflict of interest
IRB
Familiarity with cultural norms

22. Ethics in research
Ethics a system of values or principles that guide one’s behavior –
Get consent of subjects
treat subjects with respect
Exhibit integrity
Follow professional principles
Let subjects know they may cease participation at any time.

23. Evaluating and Sharing Data
Evaluating and interpreting data are important parts of conducting research.
important to accurately interpret and share data you collect so others can interpret your results